’90s R&B

Forever Cool: Babyface’s Legacy Is In His Artistic Evolution

Over 36 years into his solo career, Babyface's journey from go-to hitmaker to legend is defined by his ability to evolve… Read More

September 21, 2022

5 Albums That Made Neo-Soul Possible

The source code of neo-soul is scattered across a number of genre-defiant projects that pushed, and eventually broke, boundaries in… Read More

March 4, 2022

Why Erykah Badu’s ‘Baduizm’ Is The Best ’90s Neo-Soul Album

Erykah Badu's Baduizm not only stamped neo-soul's validity but foreshadowed its staying power decades after its invention. The year is 1997,… Read More

February 10, 2022

12 Classic R&B Songs Written By Andrea Martin

Andrea Marin was a songwriter’s songwriter. Throughout the '90s and 2000s she wrote songs for Monica, Toni Braxton, SWV, En Vogue,… Read More

September 29, 2021

How Aaliyah’s Tomboy Style Left An Imprint On Fashion

OKAYPLAYER HAS JUST LAUNCHED A NEW AALIYAH COLLECTION. PURCHASE EXCLUSIVE AALIYAH SHIRTS AND SWEATERS AT THE OKAYPLAYER SHOP  Aaliyah’s style,… Read More

September 24, 2021

One Album at a Time, Phabo Is Continuing The Legacy of The Soulquarians

We spoke with singer Phabo about how D'Angelo inspired his debut, Soulquarius; his upbringing; and what’s next for him in… Read More

August 17, 2021

Legendary Bad Boy Producer Chucky Thompson Has Died

Young Guru revealed that Chucky Thompson, member of Bad Boy's Hitmen collective and architect behind Mary J. Blige's 'My Life'… Read More

August 9, 2021

The 10 Best Aaliyah Songs That Weren’t Radio Hits

OKAYPLAYER HAS JUST LAUNCHED A NEW AALIYAH COLLECTION. PURCHASE EXCLUSIVE AALIYAH SHIRTS AND SWEATERS AT THE OKAYPLAYER SHOP  To celebrate… Read More

August 5, 2021

SWV Perfected Their R&B Sound on Their Classic Sophomore Album ‘New Beginning’

With SWV battling Xscape on Verzuz this Sunday, it’s essential to revisit New Beginning, the album that set the tone… Read More

May 6, 2021

The Making of Brandy’s Timeless Self-Titled Debut Album, According to Producer Keith Crouch

On September 27, 1994, a 15-year-old Brandy Norwood released her classic self-titled debut on Atlantic Records. We talked to one… Read More

November 21, 2019